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International news: Football Association turn down invite for England to play away to Northern Ireland next year

England last played in Belfast in 2005
Image: England last played in Belfast in 2005

The Football Association has turned down an invitation for England to play Northern Ireland in a friendly match in Belfast in March 2016.

The IFA had wanted England to be the first visiting side to play at a revamped Windsor Park as they were the first nation to play in an international match in Belfast in 1882.

Irish FA president Jim Shaw told Sky Sports News HQ England were unavailable for the date due to other commitments.

England have arranged friendly games against Italy and world champions Germany next March, and will travel to Ireland in June to play the Republic.

Shaw said: "Unfortunately England had other plans for the date we had in mind."

The teams last met in Belfast in September 2005 when Northern Ireland won 1-0 thanks to a goal from David Healy.

Meanwhile, Sky sources understand the Scottish Football Association and Irish FA are in advanced talks over a friendly at Hampden Park in March.

The game could take place four days before Scotland play Gibraltar and Northern Ireland face Finland in European Qualifiers, and is likely to be the first international fixture at Hampden since the Commonwealth Games last summer.

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